A team of 38 climbers, including former Warrington Rugby League players, who took part in the Spectrum Kilimanjaro Challenge last year in memory of former rugby league star Steve Prescott have become official World Record Breakers.
The team not only reached Uhuru Peak the summit of the 5895m (19341ft) Mount Kilimanjaro in 6 days instead of the more usual 9 days, but also played the World’s Highest game of rugby to raise funds for, and awareness of the Steve Prescott Foundation (SPF).
The SPF is absolutely delighted and extremely proud to announce that the climbers have now officially made their way into the Guinness Book of World Records for the World’s Highest Altitude Rugby League game by playing at Crater Camp at 5752 metres on 18th October 2015. It’s a record that can never be beaten so the team’s unique achievement will stand forever.
The climbers divided into two teams sponsored by Warrington Wolves and Multiwork and played a full 80 minute game under Rugby Football League International Federation rules refereed by RFL referee Robert Hicks. For the record the score was 10 all. Altitude sickness was a major problem for all the climbers in a challenge that pushed their bodies to the limit as their individual fitness and mental stamina at high altitude were tested.
The climbing party included rugby league legends Adrian Morley, Lee Briers, Barrie McDermott, Chico Jackson, Neil Harmon, Mike Wainwright and Alan Hunte. BBC North West journalist Beccy Barr and Angela Powers from Sky Sports also took part and the BBC filmed the whole challenge to record the courage and determination of the party and the highs and the lows of the challenge.
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/379054-highest-altitude-rugby-league-game
The charity challenge raised a magnificent £150k for the charities of the SPF. The donations to the SPF go to support the Christie in Manchester, the Rugby League Benevolent Fund and the SPF Special Causes Fund. The SPF fund allows those hospitals, researchers and surgeons who deal in Psuedomyxoma related conditions and multi visceral transplantation to apply for grants to the Trustees of the SPF who will ensure sure that the money will have a direct and significant effect on people’s lives.
The SPF has recently reached the £Million mark of donations to its chosen charities, a fantastic achievement since the inception of the SPF in 2007. The legacy of the truly inspirational Steve Prescott continues and has now received global recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Linzi Prescott said, “I am incredibly proud of each and every one who took on this challenge. I think it is amazing what they have achieved. They are a fantastic team, who I’m sure have experienced some special, once in a lifetime memories. I cannot thank them enough for continuing Stephen’s legacy. He would be so proud! Special thanks must also go to their partners/families for their support. It’s been a sleepless week for me so I don’t know how they have coped. Hope they enjoy the well deserved celebrations now it’s over. Stay safe!!”
Mike Denning Chairman of the SPF said. “In true SPF spirit, people from all walks of life have stepped up to complete this amazing challenge and in doing so set our very own Guinness Book of World Record for the highest game of Rugby League ever played. We are all extremely proud of their endeavours and truly grateful for the time and energy they have all put in training and completing this challenge.
“Massive thanks to all of our sponsors and once again the SPF family are pushing new boundaries. Thank you to everybody for your continued support.”
